A review by words_with_wendy
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“Me and Celine, we’ve been best friends. We’ve been enemies. We’ve even been a secret. But right now? Right now, we’re everything. Anything. Whatever we want.” 
 
Seventeen-year-old Celina Bangura spends her days creating TikToks about conspiracy theories for her 32,000 followers, acing her classes, and definitely not thinking about her ex-best friend, Bradley Graeme. Ever since their falling out several years ago, Celine and Brad have been enemies, exchanging insults and rivaling each other at academics. But when they both sign up for a leadership survival course, they’re forced to spend quite a bit of time together as they compete for a uni scholarship. While trekking through the woods, Celine and Brad also find themselves plodding through their past—both the messy and the good bits. So when sparks start to fly, can they let themselves trust each other? Or will things between them always be highly suspicious (and unfairly cute)? 
 
HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE is exactly what you’d expect from a Talia Hibbert young adult novel: cute, sweet, hilarious, and deeply emotional. To say I enjoyed it would be a severe understatement. From the glossary to the acknowledgements, Hibbert dives straight into humour and heart. Celine and Brad are fantastic protagonists, both working through their own obstacles and so realistic. I also loved the cast of side characters, from Brad’s football mates to Celine’s quirky BFF to the friends they make in the woods. As a hardcore Brown Sisters fan, I can tell you with absolute certainty that Talia Hibbert is phenomenal in both adult and YA. Do yourself a favor and read HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE right away! You can thank me later ;) 

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
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